Through the buildOn Trek experience high school and college students immerse in our mission by building schools in solidarity with the community members who will benefit from them.

Breaking the cycle

buildOn Community Teams are an important part of our mission.

What You’ll Gain

buildOn provides an impactful service experience.

This global service learning experience empowers students to connect with the local culture and customs of a rural village, live with host families, and serve by physically constructing a buildOn primary school in one of the world’s economically poorest countries.

buildOn puts an emphasis on leadership and team building by engaging students in dynamic cultural workshops, deep reflection activities and thorough explorations of issues facing their host community. Students strengthen their bonds with each other and their community by serving together.

Opportunities for growth are enormous, as students develop a deeper understanding of the world and of themselves as agents of change. By the time they leave the village and return home, participants will have developed bonds that transcend geography and circumstance. And most importantly they’ll know their hard work and generosity has made a meaningful difference.

Join the buildOn Movement

Community Teams fundraise for the school’s construction, plus their own travel expenses, ensuring that all donated funds go directly to support a community in need. Construction for an entire buildOn school costs on average $30,000. A team of 15 people will fund an entire school. buildOn is currently providing the trek experience in Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Nicaragua and Senegal.

A Typical Day in the Village:

Worksite

The work consists of digging the foundation, mixing concrete, making cinder blocks, carrying water and tying rebar. It is physically hard work. Everything is done by hand, and you will surely have blisters and sore muscles.

Cultural Education

You will participate in a cultural workshop in your community each day. The workshops are different in each village based on the resources of the community.

Reflection

In addition to working and learning together, participants will engage in deep reflection activities concerning their current experiences with culture, inequality, education, privilege and service. Participants will be given tools to share their experience once they return home.

Immerse with Your Host Family

You may find yourself learning to cook on a wood fire, playing games with the children, doing laundry, carrying water, listening to the radio, singing or dancing, and teaching basic English. These moments with your host family will undoubtedly be the most valuable part of your experience.

Be a Part of a Global Movement

buildOn Community Teams are made up of compassionate volunteers from across the U.S. and all corners of the world. We’re building schools with groups from the Americas, Europe and Asia.